I Saw My Father Today

I Saw My Father Today

I was late getting out of work today. Christmas is in two days and the only person I really want to get a gift for is my daughter. I have no idea what she would want, so I'll probably just give her money and tell her how much I love her. She's 19 and I probably could never be lucky enough to choose a gift wisely. Anyway, as I walked to the subway I was thinking about that and the fact that I really don't have anyone else to buy for. On any given day, I think a lot, but today, for whatever reason, I found myself thinking even more deeply.

I don't remember the sidewalk, passers by, walking down the stairs or boarding the train. When I came to, I was just staring off down the length of the car. Then I saw my father. He was far enough away that I couldn't be sure it was him. "It couldn't be him," I thought to myself.

I concentrated on his head and face. Almost no hair, clean shaven, big forehead, deep sunken eyes, moderately large nose, weak chin; a tired old man was just sitting there, his only movement caused by that of the train car. He had no real expression on his face, he just looked old.

Well, it couldn't be my father, he is 30 miles away. He would never ride a train. He drives everywhere in his mini-van. It's just a trick caused by the distance and the fact that I was looking through two sheets of Plexiglas. Then I realized, that sad old man was just a reflection. It was my reflection.

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